Fatal Pedestrian Accident in Twentynine Palms

Fatal Pedestrian Collision on Amboy Road in Twentynine Palms: Investigation Underway and Legal Options for Families A tragic pedestrian collision in Twentynine Palms on Thursday, October 2, 2025, claimed the life of 52-year-old Diego T. of West Hollywood. According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just before 8:00 p.m. on Amboy Road east of Mica Avenue. The involved driver, a resident of Indio, was determined not to be impaired at the time of the incident. The cause of the crash—and the reason Diego was in the roadway—remains under active investigation. This incident underscores the persistent risks pedestrians face on wide, high-speed corridors and after dark, when visibility is reduced. As authorities continue to gather facts, families and community members often have questions about what happens next, how fault is assessed, and what legal avenues may be available after a fatal pedestrian collision. What Investigators Typically Examine After a Pedestrian Crash While each case is unique, investigators commonly review several key factors to understand how a pedestrian collision occurred: - Visibility and lighting: Time of day, roadway lighting, headlight usage, and the presence of reflective clothing can influence sight distance and reaction time. - Speed and stopping distance: Vehicle speed affects braking distance and crash severity. Investigators may analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and event data recorders (EDRs) to estimate speed. - Crosswalks and roadway design: The presence or absence of crosswalks, sidewalks, shoulders, and signage can be relevant to both safety and duty of care. - Driver attention and distraction: Phone use, infotainment systems, and other distractions may be reviewed through phone records or vehicle infotainment logs. - Impairment: Although impairment was ruled out for the driver in this case, toxicology tests are standard in serious collisions. - Right-of-way and positioning: Whether the pedestrian was within a marked or unmarked crosswalk, crossing mid-block, or walking along the shoulder can affect legal analysis. - Weather and road condition: Wind, rain, dust, glare, and pavement conditions can affect visibility and traction. California Law: Pedestrian Rights, Driver Duties, and Comparative Fault California law requires drivers to exercise due care for the safety of pedestrians at all times and to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections with crosswalks—whether marked or unmarked. Pedestrians are also required to use reasonable care for their own safety, and there are restrictions on suddenly leaving a curb or place of safety when a vehicle is too close to stop safely. Importantly, California follows a comparative fault system. That means